Educational furniture toy



H.M. FLIEDNER.- EDUCATIONAL FURNITURE TOY. APPLICATION FILED JUNE e, I9I9.

1,376,087. Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

4 SHEETS-,SHEET 2.

H. M. FLIEDNER. EDUCATIONAL FURNHUHE mY.

l APPLICATION FILED IUNE 6,1919. 1,376,087., Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

s'r'resL EDUCATIONAL rnniirruan roY.

Z 0 all 'whomz't may concern y Be it known that I, I-Iiinnia M. FLEDNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 1971 YV. 99th St., in the city of Cleve,- land, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Educational Furnitureloys, of which the following is a specification; the principle of the invention being herein explained andthe best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention pertains to an educational toy and more particularly, according to the adaptations exemplied in the drawings, to toy furniture. My idea comprehends the construction of various objects of predeter mined design using supplied pieces which are appropriately shaped aiid'either `folded or slit or both.y The several pieces are intendedl to be furnished to children in knocked-down form so that human creative instinct may be encouraged and individual ingenuity exercised by the task of assembly.

The intended shapes ofy the several pieces may be outlined on a single pie-ce of cardn board by fine slitting or perforation soas to enable them to be torn apart. Or the shapes l may be dened by lines so that their separa# l means of scissors.

tion will' require a cutting` operation as by I am aware that such an arrangement for obtaining cardboardpieces of desired; shape is not new, but it may be advantageously used in association with my invention to teach line proportions, measurement andliuling. nent parts for several pieces of toy furniture may be cut fromal single sheet of cardboard.

The especial object of my invention iste contrive designs which when merely folded along properly indicated'lines will produce a piece of furniture capable of supporting itself in a substantially erect position with`- out requiring any adhesive or any other kind of attaching means. While ytoy furniture so produced is not geometrieally perfect it approaches the actual appearance of4 furniture closely enough so `that when viewed tliroughthe imaginativeeyes of an intent child it willentirely satisfy children at play. The creation of toy furniture as I have pro-y posed and successfully demonstrated by more than a year of actual practice, is of instructive value. The parts are light, easily assembled'. cleanI and so inexpensive that kthey may be destroyed after use by children Specification of Iietters Patent.

If preferred, the compoin contagiousr hospital wards. Moreover the slight physical effort required commends the. toy to convalescent children. I dxf'ertingtothe drawingsr- Figure Iy is a plan view of what may be considered the front ef a cardboard or fiber y rasanten apiee, ieei.; Application ined June e, 191e. semaine. 302,130.

blank, embodying my invention and adapted y when properly folded and attached to produce an arm chair. i

`Fig. II is a rear view ,of Fig. I likewise showing' a fiat blank.

Fig. III is a perspective view of the chair blank at the beginning of fold.

Figs. IV and `V are plan views of front and back stiffening members.

Fig. VI is a perspective view of the chair rlank showing the progress of the folding operation, a front and back stiffener in place and a tongue portion inserted through another portion;

Fig. VIIy is a side elevation showing further progress of the` folding operation with ythe saine tongue inserted through another portion. y

Fig. VIII is a plan view of a blank adapted to constitute the arm. for the toy chair.

Figs. IX and X are perspective views of the arm blank partly and completely folded respectively. y

Fig. XI is a perspective view of a leg brace.

Fig.v XII is a side elevation of the completed chair.`

XIII is a front elevation of the conipleted chair.

Fig. XIV is a plan view of a flat blank adapted .for the p'rcdueticn, according to my invention, of a different piece ef furniture namely of a dresser.

XV is afperspeetive view of the blank shown in Fig. VIII at the beginning of fold. y f Y Figs, XVI and XVII are plan views of front and back sti tieners. v

Figs( XVIII and XIX. are'l plan views of blanks to constitute the size of the dresser.

Fig. XX is a perspective view of a leg brace. j

Fig. XXI is `a side elevation of the blank almost completely folded, with the front and back stiffeners iii place, a side member partlyinserted and a tongue partly inserted into an appropriate slit. 1

IIXII is a side elevation of the compl cled y dresser.

Fig. XXIII is a front elevation of the completed dresser.

The chair blank 1 which I have selected to exemplify the structural embodiment of 5 my invention is principally formed from an elongated piece of'cardboard or fiber ofthe maximum stiffness possible to permit of being satisfactorily creased and folded and to afford a certain degree of flexibility. The blankl is fashioned with a plurality of cross-wise creases of inverse forni. Three creases 2, 3 and 4 enable a subsequent folding operation in one particular direction. Four creases 5, 6, 7 and 8 enable a subsequent folding operation in the opposite direction. The end of the blank beyond the crease 8 is cut along two right angular lines 9 for a purpose hereinafter to appear.

The crease 2 separates an end or downfall portion `10 provided along opposite side edges with slits 11 and 12 and near its free end with a cross slit 13. Qn the other side of the crease 2 is the chair back section 14 provided with twc pairs of slits 15-16 and 17d-18. The crease 3 separates the back section 14 from the rear seat supporting section or rear leg section 19. Extending across the crease 3 parallel with the side edges of the blank area pair of slits 20 and 21, while extending between near ends of such slits are corresponding crease lines 22 and 23. The portion defined by the slits 20 and 21 and the creases. 22 and 23 is creased at 24 midway kand perpendicularly to the side edges of the blank and in the oppcsiterdirec-V tion to that of the creases 22 and 23. In this manner la foldable tongue is created.

The rear seat support or rear leg section 19 is fashioned with lateral slits 25 and 26. Extending along the crease 5 is a slit 27. The seat section of the chair is inclosed by the creases 5 and 6 and near the crease 6 is provided with lateral slits 28 and 29. The next blank section 30 inclosed by the creases 6 and 7 is to constitute the front seat support or visible front leg section and is fashioned on opposite sides with slits 31 and 32. Extending acrossthe crease 7 parallel with the side edges of the blank are slits 33 and 34 andextending between the ends of these slits are cross creases 35 and 36. Midway.

. between the creases 35 and 36 is an opposite 'crease 37 of the same size and shape as the blank section 30 and is to constitute the upturned inside of the front seat support.

slits 25 and 26 are to register with the slits 17 and 18 respectively and the slits 14 and 15 are intended to register with the slits 11 -and 12 krespectively as is evidenced by Fig.

VI. Owing to the cut out areas along the angular lines 9 a somewhat narrower section or tongue 44 is formed corresponding in width to the length of the slits 27 and 13 and adapted, as will presently appear, to be passed through both the slits 27 and 13 75 in the order named.

f A front stilfening member 45 (see Fig. IV) corresponding in shape and size with the sections 30 and 38, when folded, may be einployed'as an insert to be interposed there- 80 between. This stiffening member is not essential. Its use is recommended only when the .available cardboard is insufficiently stiff, for instance when a child might desire not only to construct a chair of this character from supplied pieces properly cut and creased, but would like to actually prepare all the component parts from irregular blank stock or like to duplicate parts with which it may have been supplied. The stiffener 45 has slits 46 and 47 purposed to register withthe pairs of slits 31-32 and 39-40. 'A cut-out 48 establishes a pair of leg conforming portions 49 and 50. Another stiffening member 51 corresponding in 95 shape and size with, and likewise for optional use between the lower part of the back 14 and the rear seat supporting section,

is formed with slits 52 and 53 adapted to register with the pairs of slits 25-26 and 100 17-18 Similarly, a cut out 54 contributes to the formation of leg sections 55 and 56 as .from the elongated side edges thereof one quarter of the distance between such side edges. The other angular portion of the arm blank is provided with a transversely extending median` crease 60. A 'fourth crease V61v extends midway between the creases 58 and 59 and across the crease 69 115 tothe farther end of the blank. By this arrangement the arm blank mayV be first folded along the creases 58, 59 and 60 and thereafter suoli 'folded portions again folded along the crease 61 soV that the blank 120 successively assumes the forms shown by Figs. IX and X. A leg brace 62 comprises two fold sections 63 and 64 attached along a crease 65. The purpose of folding the arm 57 and brace 62 is that their tendency 125 to expand or unfold will insure an advantageous bite when passed through Vthe appropriate pairs of slits. Specifically, the free end of the longer portion of the folded arm is designed to be passed through either A the pair of slits'11 yand 15 or the pair of slits 12 and 16, depending, of course, on which sideoffthe chair the arm is to be attached.y The end of the shorterfpart of the folded arm isv tol be passed through either the pair of slits 28 and 42 or the pair of slits 29 and 43. That end of the foldedY leg brace 64 which is tovoccupy the rear position will pass through'either the triad of slits 25, 52 and17, or throughthe three slits 26, 53 and 18 depending again upon which 'side of the chair the brace is to be located. The opposite endl of the brace 64 is` passed through the three slits 40, 47 and 32.

A scrutiny of Figs. III,'VI, VII and XII will clearly reveal the manner in which the folding and assembly of my little toy chair is to be accomplished. 4

It isto be observed that collectively considered all of the sections which compose the main body of the chair, regardless vof their contiguity, form a looped whole and that opposite ends of the elongated blank` are detachably connected. Certain portions of the blank are doubled back so that certain sections abut each other. Viewedy from the side, it is manifest also thaty a zigzag configuration is had. After the stiifenin member 45 has been laidbetween` thefoldec sections 30 and 38,.and the stiffening member 51 has been placed in front of the back 14, the tongue 44` isA first passed` up through the slit 27 atthe rear of the seat and then through the slit 13 to eventually assume its position between the down fold 11 and the back 14. Thereafter these` two sections are squeezed together and then the main blank is ready for the attachment of the arm and leg braces'` as previously described` and as appearsin Figs. XII and XIII.

I iterate that no attaching means is indispensable. The arm and leg braces are not necessary if the paper, is of a certain degree of stiffness, but they do of course lend neatness and addA firmness.' Besides,

` the arm rests are required for-.an armchair as a mere mattery of design.

The modification is adresser illustrated on sheets 3 and 4 by Figs.XIV and XXIII; The flat paper blank of Fig. XIV isA so` creased and folded as to successively assume the forms shown in Figs. XV and XXI. @ne end 66 of the blank is cross-slitted at 67. Farther along, the blank is crosscreased at 68 to separate a top flap for eventual backingfor the top of the dresser from the main back support section 69. 'Ihefar-` ther end of the section69 is similarly creasedl at 7 0 and owing to three parallel crosscreases and two longitudinal slits which intersect the crease 70, a( folded `tongue 71 may be formed` between the up-turnedfsection 72-whichtogetherwith the lower portion ofthe section 69 constitutesthe reary legv as cIearly appears in Fig.J XXI. Two additional inversecross-creases 7 3 and 74 define a raised innerbottom 75. Another crosscrea'se V76 similar to the crease 70 defines an inner frontv leg `section77 and by reason of such crease being interjacentto another pair' of crea'sesand likewise crossed` by longitudi-` nally extending slits createsanother folded tongue 78 adapted to vbe pressed between the section 77 and the nexty section 79'which constitutes the front of the dresser'. .'Ihe farther end of thefront section 79 is creased and folded back along the line 8O and a top section 81 isinclosedbetween the folded line and another corresponding fold line 82. The distance between the foldflines 80 and 82is the same as the Vdistance between the fold lines 78 and 74. TheV proXimateend 83 ofthe blankv is of reduced width and co'nstitutes av tongue intended to be inserted through the yslit 67. asl may be best seen in- Fig'.v XXII. f

Two separate pieces are `provided to form the opposite sides ofthe dresser.v :These are illustratedlin Figs.y XVIII and XIX. One of them-84isfprovidedabove with ears 85 and 86 andibelow with.earsi87and 88. The other side pieceV 89 is similarly formed, but since it `does not appear in the assembledviews andisinserted exactly like the piece 84only` the method of insertion of the latter will be described. ,Two identicalfolded le braces 90, one of whichisshown in Fig. VX are adapted to stiffen` the legs of the dresser as willV be hereinafter 'explained Front and back vstiffeners 91, and 92 corresponding in size and shape to the sections 79 and69 when folded are intended tov lie interiorly adjacent thereto respectively. The .ear 85 is passedl through aslit 85a in the'y front stift'ener 91 andalso througha slit 85b in the front stiffener 79. The 'ear 86 issuccessively; passed through a slit 86a* in the end section 66 then througha slit ,86h in the back stif-vv fener 92 and lastly through a slit86c in the back 69. The ear 87 is passed through slitsl 87a andf87b formed inthe sectionsf91 and 79 respectively. The ear 88.7is passed through slits 88a and 88b in the sections 92 and 68 respectively. The rear'end of: the leg brace 9.0 is passed through slits 90a, 90b and90". The front end of the leg brace is passed through slits 90d, 90e and90f. The other leg brace,y y

not' shown, would be similarly passed throught-he' opposite sides 4of ythe blank.l

' I would have it understood that the fprinciple of assembly which the two exemplifying fur-niture pieces disclose-is similarly applicable to every form offurniture over a dozen of angular designs which I have actually made andsold. f.

4Ielaimzv y,

1. i An educational furniture vtoy composed ofa single sheet of-foldable material of predetermined shape depending upon the articleof furniture intended tobe` produced, said sheet being fashioned with slits, and a plurality of definitely spaced creases extending between different slits respectively, whereby double ply legs may be obtained by folding along said creases. y

`2. An educational furniture toy composed of a single sheet of foldable material of predetermined shapel depending upon the article of furniture intended tofbe produced, said sheet being fashioned with parallel slits, and a plurality of definitely spaced parallel creases extending between ends ofdifferent slits respectively and between intermediate points along such slits, said creases being at right anglesV to said slits whereby double ply ylegs maybe obtained by folding along said creases.

3, An educational furniture toycomposedv of a single sheet of foldable Vmaterial of predetermined-shape dependingupon the article of furniture to be produced, said sheet being fashioned with a pair of parallel slits, and a Vplurality of creases extending` be.

tween said slits respectively whereby the section defined by said-'creases may be lfolded to assume a different position, portions of saidA sheet being formed in a loop, and means for securingsaid portions in such position to maintain the desired shape of the whole. Y

4. An educational furniture toy composed of a single sheet of foldable material ofy predetermined shape depending upon the article of furniture intended to be produced, said sheet being fashioned with a pair of parallel slits, anda pair of similarly directed creases extending between said slits respectively, and another pair of similarly directed creases intermediately of the position of said first mentioned pair ofV creases, whereby double ply legs may be obtained by folding along all ofV said creases, said sheet being further providedI at equal distances from one pair of said creases re` spectively with apertures and means passed through said apertures for maintaining the folded relationship.

5." An vveducational furniture toy composed of asingle sheet vof foldable material of duced, said sheet having afolded section partly cut from it and creased along two lines of junction therewith,said section being fashioned in-between' and parallel with said junction line creases with an inversely formed crease whereby double ply legs may belobtained by folding along all of said CI'GZLSGS. 4' Y 7 An educational furniture toy -composed of a single sheet of foldable material of predetermined shape depending vupon the article of furniture intended to be produced, said sheet having a section partly cut from said sheet and creased along its lines of junction therewith, said section being fashioned in between and parallel with `said junction line Vcreases with an inversely formed crease, said-sheet being additionally fashioned with other creases on opposite sides of said folded section whereby .double ply legs may be obtained by folding along all of said creases.

8.An article of the character described comprising an elongated sheet of foldable material fashioned with definitely arrangedV creases and slits, some of said creases being capable of lying in a given line, some of said slitsV being capable of registering, said creases being in line when thebordering materialV is flat, said slits registering .when portions of said sheet bordering any pair thereofare folded one against the other, and wedging means adapted to be passed throughv said `registering slits.

9. An article of the character described comprising an elongated sheet of foldable material fashioned with definitely arranged creases and slits, someof said slits being capable of registering, and creased braces for insertion'through said registering slits.

l0. An educational furniture toy composed of a singlesheet of foldable material of predetermined shape depending upon the article of furniture intended to be produced, said l sheet being so creased as to enable assumption of predetermined shape and integrally form the requisite component` angularly related parts, said sheet being further fashioned with slits adapted to Vbe brought into registering position, and

braces inserted through said slits for main taining the desired shape, said braces being creased and folded whereby to exert an eX- p'ansible force and insure a tighter t in said slits. v

11. A device of the character described comprising a single niece ofmaterial fashioned with a plurality of inverse creases, said piece being furthermore provided with a tongue and slits, said Vpiece being zigzag folded and doubled back to form the component parts of the desired object, said tongue being passed through said slit to interlock at that point, and braces insertible in some of said slots for maintaining an established angular relationship of the sections between the creased lines of fold.

lliber board fashioned with` a pluralityy of cross creases whereby to enable folding at a number of points in one direction, and also fashioned with a pluralityv of cross creases to enable yfolding in the opposite direction, said piece being furthermore 4provided near its ends with a tongueand slits respectively, said piece being zig-zag folded and doubled back to form component parts of the desired object, ,said tongue being passed through one of said slits to vmaintain the established looped arrangement, and

ybraces passed throughseparated pairs of slits for binding diiferent pairs of folds together. j

14C. An educational furniture toy coinpiising a sheet of cardboard fashioned with three alined `creases separated by transversely extending slits, the interj acent crease -being of yopposite inclination withrespect to the other two, `said board being furthermore `.provided with apair, of creases -of the same inclination as said first mentioned pair of like creases but extending only between said pair of slits whereby a foldable `tongue section is provid ed, said sheet being folded along said pair of creases whichare on opposite sides of said slits so as to inclose said folded tongue therebetween, the areas laterally 'adjacent said slits on remote sides thereby simulating furniture leg design, other portions of said'sheet being usimilarly so slit,

creased and folded to form additional legs,

other portions of said sheet being fashioned 4 with a slit andas a tongue respectively, the

latter being passedthrough the former.

` 15. An educational furniture toy compris'- ing a sheet of cardboard fashioned with three alined creases separated by transversely extending slits, the finterjacent -crease` being of opposite inclination with A respect to theotlier two, said board being only between said `pairof slits whereby a furthermore provided with a pair of creases of ythe same inclination as said first inentioned pair of like creases but extending lfoldablel tongue` section is provided, said sheet being folded along said pair of creases whichy are on opposite sides of said slits so as to in'close said folded tongue ytherebej tween, the areas laterally adjacent said slits on remote sides thereby simulating furniture leg designs, other portions oflsaid sheet vbeing similarly :so slit, creased and folded to form additional legs, opposite ends of said sheet being fashioned with a slit-and as a tongue respectively, the ylatter being passed through the former and adapted to lie thereagainst, and means for bracing said legs.

16. ing a sheet of cardboard fashioned with verse-ly extending slits, the interj acent crease being of opposite inclinationv with respect An educational furniture toy comprisythree alined creases separated by trans-- i to the other'two, said board being furthermore provided with apairvof creasesof the same inclination as said first mentioned pair of like creases but extending only between said pair of slits whereby a foldable tongue section is provided, said sheet being folded along said pair of creases which Vare 'on opposite sides vof said slits so as to inclosesaid folded tongue therebetween, the areas laterally adjacent saidA slits on 'remote sides thereby simulating furniture leg designs'in front, other portionsof said sheetlbeing sim ilary so slit creased and folded to form additional rear legs, opposite ends of said sheet being 4fashioned witha slit and as a tongue respectively, thelatter beingpassed through the former and adapted to lie thereagainst,

said leg adjacent areas being also slitted,

. and folded braces extending between vsaid front and, rear leg supports and wedge fitted in the slitsy formed in fthe areas adjacent thereto. y

f1?. 'loy furniture comprising a singlev7 piece `of `flexible material ylooped around provided with a slit, appropriately' creased and having its ends detachably held to gether, one such kend being `additionally creased and passed through said slitso that f said crease lies alongsaid slit wherebyjto aid Ain holding both ends-in a desired position.

18. Toy furniturecomprising a single piece of flexible material looped as an entirety, having intersecting end portions and i interjacent sections folded against each other, and braces for holding pairs of folded `sections in spaced relation.

19. loy furniture comprising a ysingle iiS piece of flexible material looped as an ene,

tirety, having 4end portions attached 'and interjacent sections collectively of zig-zag formation, a pair of said sections having adjacent areas, and a brace intersecting saidv adjacent areas for maintaining said formation. f

20. Toy furniture comprising ai single piece of flexible material looped as an entirety, and having interjac'ent sectionsy foldl formed with a single piece of folded flexible material, a stiffening member interposed between abutting fold'portions of said standards and means for bracing one composite standard together with another.

24:. A furniture toy comprising two standards formed with a single piece of flexible material and each standard formed of a distinct abutting fold together with means for simultaneously binding said folds in place and for holding said standards in predetermined spaced relation.

25. A furniture toy consisting of a single piece of folded flexible material and comprising standards formed of vjuxtaposed folded sections, an intermediate horizontal area, stiffening members interposed between and contiguous to each other the folds of said standards and means for bindingtogether the folds and interposed stiffening member of eachstandard.

26.' A toy furniture structure comprising a single piece of flexible material creased and folded to form double ply standards and an elevated level area, one smaller end of said material beingpassed through an intermediate portion at the junction of said Y level area with one of saidstandards and also throughthe other end of said material. 27. A toy furniture structure comprising la single piece Vof flexible material creased and folded crosswise to form double ply standards vand an elevated level area, one

end being passed through a slit formed in the other end and likewise through a slit formed along one of its creases.

k2,8. A `toy furniture structure comprising a single piece of flexible material creased and folded to form double ply standards and an elevated level area, one end being passed through a slit formed in the other end together with means for simultaneously binding a plurality of the folded areas together.

29. Toy furniture formed of a single piece of flexible material fashioned with reversed 1 creases whereby to enable the creation of angularly related laminated sections, together with separate braces passed through y registering slits in pairs of laminatedsections to hold the latter inposition.

30. Toy furniture formed of a single piece of flexible material fashioned with reversed creases whereby to enable the creation of a back, a front down fold therefrom, a rear supportI folding up thereto and constituting a base at its junction line therewith, a

folded front support likewise having its line of fold constituting a base, a flat elevated area spacing said supports apart, one of the ends of said piece being passed through a slit in the other end. Y

31. Toy furniture formed of a single vpiece of flexible material fashioned with reversed creaseswhereby to enable the creation of a back, a front down fold therefrom, a rear support folding up thereto and constituting a base at its junction line therej with, av folded front support likewise having its line of fold constituting a base, a flat elevated area spacing said supports apart, one of the ends of said piece being passed through a slit in the other end, together with means for simultaneously binding said folded front and rear supports together and for bracing said supports to each other.

32. An educational furniture toy composed of a single sheet of foldable materiall of predeterminedV shape .and depending upon the article of furniture intended to be produced, said sheet havinga section partly severed from said sheet by parallel cuts and creased along parallel lines of junction therewith which are transverse with respect to said cuts, said section being fashioned in between and parallel with said junction line creases with an inversely formed crease,- said sheet being additionally fashioned withV other parallel creases on opposite sidesA of said section whereby to enable said section to be folded vbetween the portions of said sheet divided by said last mentioned creases.

33. Aneducational furniture toy comprising a sheet of cardboard fashioned with three alined creases separated by transversely extending slits, the interj acent crease being of opposite inclination with respect to the other two, said board being further- `more provided with a pair of creases of the same inclination as said first mentioned pair of like creases but extending only betweenV said pair of slits whereby a foldable tongue section is provided, said sheet being folded along said pair of creases which are on opposite sides of said slits so Vas to inclose said folded tongue therebetween, whereby the areas laterally adjacent said slits on remote sides simulate furniture leg designs.

34. An educational furniture toy comprising a sheet of cardboard fashioned with three alined lcreases separatedby transversely extending slits, the interj acent crease being of opposite inclination with respect tothe other two, said board being furthermore provided with a pair of creases of the same inclination as said first mentionedfpair of like creases but extending only between said pair of slits whereby a foldable tongue section is provided, said sheet being folded along said pair of creases which are on opposite sides of said slits so vas to inclose said folded tongue therebetween, the areas laterally adjacent said slits on remote sides thereby simulating furniture leg designs.

35. An article of the character described comprising an elongated sheet of foldable material fashioned With definitely arranged slits, some of said slits being capable of registering, and compressible braces adapted when compressed to be inserted through said registering slits.

Signed by me, this 28th day of May, 1919.

HELEN M.V FLIEDNER. 

